Pugazhendi takes over as chief wildlife warden of Kerala

Thiruvananthapuram: P Pugazhendi, a 1996-batch Indian forest service officer, has taken over as chief wildlife warden.He began his career as wildlife warden of Parambikulam Tiger Reserve and has extensive experience in scientific management of teak plantations in Malabar and Travancore regions.Pugazhendi has shown outstanding capability in both forest management and administration, said a statement.He served as DFO in Nilambur, Konni and Thiruvananthapuram forest divisions, and also as conservator of forests (human resource development) in Thiruvananthapuram.He also worked as chief conservator of forests, southern circle, Kollam, overseeing districts of Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta and Alappuzha.In Kerala forest and wildlife department, he was responsible for finance, budget, social forestry and IT wings.He also served as director of state sports and youth affairs department, managing director of MILMA, director of scheduled tribe development department.He holds a postgraduate degree in forestry from Tamil Nadu Agricultural University and a PhD in forest biodiversity management from FRI University, Dehradun.